Heterodera ustinovi (grass cyst nematode).

10.1079/isc.81305084.20210200732 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Powers

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

Plant Species ◽

Golf Course ◽

Native Plant ◽

Limited Evidence ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

South West ◽

The Usa ◽

Initial Discovery ◽

Native Parasite

Abstract There is limited evidence available to suggest that H. ustinovi is invasive. The identical COI halpotypes shared between the USA and Europe most likely represent recent introductions. The small amount of genetic information from North America suggests that H. ustinovi is widespread in the south west (Arizona), midwest (Ohio) and New England states, with little genetic differentiation. H. ustinovi has not been found on any plant species in the USA other than introduced Agrostis species and in turf/golf course settings. A lot of nematodes are transported in turf from turf farms. The initial discovery on native Agrostis in the Ukraine would suggest a potential native parasite existing on a native plant species, but, there are very few of samples on which to base these comparisons.

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Biological and Host Range Characteristics of Lysathia flavipes (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Candidate Biological Control Agent of Invasive Ludwigia spp. (Onagraceae) in the USA

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12050471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 471

Author(s):

Angelica M. Reddy ◽

Paul D. Pratt ◽

Brenda J. Grewell ◽

Nathan E. Harms ◽

Ximena Cibils-Stewart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Host Range ◽

Plant Species ◽

Biocontrol Agent ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Agent ◽

Native Plant ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

The Usa ◽

Physical And Chemical

Exotic water primroses (Ludwigia spp.) are aggressive invaders in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. To date, management of exotic Ludwigia spp. has been limited to physical and chemical control methods. Biological control provides an alternative approach for the management of invasive Ludwigia spp. but little is known regarding the natural enemies of these exotic plants. Herein the biology and host range of Lysathia flavipes (Boheman), a herbivorous beetle associated with Ludwigia spp. in Argentina and Uruguay, was studied to determine its suitability as a biocontrol agent for multiple closely related target weeds in the USA. The beetle matures from egg to adult in 19.9 ± 1.4 days at 25 °C; females lived 86.3 ± 35.6 days and laid 1510.6 ± 543.4 eggs over their lifespans. No-choice development and oviposition tests were conducted using four Ludwigia species and seven native plant species. Lysathia flavipes showed little discrimination between plant species: larvae aggressively fed and completed development, and the resulting females (F1 generation) oviposited viable eggs on most plant species regardless of origin. These results indicate that L. flavipes is not sufficiently host-specific for further consideration as a biocontrol agent of exotic Ludwigia spp. in the USA and further testing is not warranted.

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Bird dispersal of fruits of species introduced into eastern North America

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b92-208 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 70 (8) ◽

pp. 1689-1696 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Douglas W. White ◽

Edmund W. Stiles

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

Introduced Species ◽

Plant Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Native Plant ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

Ecological Fitting ◽

High Durability ◽

Species Occurrences

We compared bird use of fruits of introduced and native plant species to explore the roles of coevolution, ecological fitting, and chance in shaping seed dispersal interactions. Of 45 bird-dispersed species recorded at three sites in central New Jersey, 15 (33%) were nonnative. In fall samples from seed traps and fecal droppings, introduced species accounted for 0.4–14% of fruit biomass overall and 3 – 30% of the biomass of low-quality fruits. Although absolute fruit use declined from fall to winter, relative use of introduced species increased seasonally to as high as half of winter fruit biomass. Heavy use of non-native fruits appears recent; introductions accounted for only 2% of plant species occurrences in fall and winter records of stomach contents for nine passerine species in New England and mid-Atlantic states between 1881 and 1950. Introduced fruits with fall maturation, low-quality pulp, and high durability now rival native species in fruit diets of birds in late fall and winter. The success of introductions demonstrates coadaptation through ecological fitting of preadapted partners; nevertheless, the predominant use of introduced fruits after peak bird migration suggests that introduced fruits may be less well matched to local dispersal opportunities than native ones. Key words: birds, coevolution, fruits, introductions.

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